Method and composition for road construction and surfacing

ABSTRACT

Methods and compositions for improving the strength and longevity of secondary roadways through environmentally sound practices are disclosed herein. A composition for road sealing includes an aqueous emulsion of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer, water, and a resin-modified emulsion, wherein the resin-modified emulsion includes a mixture of pitch and rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/360,775, filedJan. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,337,117, which is a continuation ofU.S. Ser. No. 13/102,213, filed May 6, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,104,991, which claims priority to a provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/332,479, filed May 7, 2010, and Ser. No. 61/379,570, filedSep. 2, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

I. BACKGROUND

A. Field

This invention generally relates to methods and compositions forimproving the strength and longevity of secondary roadways throughenvironmentally sound practices.

B. Description of the Related Art

The engineering and construction of secondary roads (hereafter, “gravelroads,” “earth roads,” or “unpaved roads”) has been perpetually plaguedby two interrelated problems: the deterioration of the road due towater, and the loss of surface cohesion and road compaction due totraffic. The deleterious effects of water on roadways, in particular,are well documented in the prior art. In cold weather, moisture thatpenetrates a road's base layers freezes and rips cracks into the roadsubstrate that seriously undermine the load bearing capacity andlongevity of the roadway. Likewise, in milder weather, when water seepsinto the road's base layers it results in softening and erosion thatcauses potholes that are an expensive and recurring problem. And if thepotholes are not immediately repaired, they fill with water and furtherexacerbate the deterioration of the roadway.

The impact of water on secondary roads such as rural roads, accessroads, field and forestry roads, or mountain roads is especiallypronounced because the quality of the surfacing materials is lower thanin an asphalt paved road, for example, and thus provides reduced surfaceprotection from the elements. Additionally, because of capillary action,water also seeps into the road base from the sides and bottom of theroad's base or sub-base. Compared to sealed or “paved” roads, whichrequire large machinery to pour concrete or to lay and smooth abitumen-based surface, secondary unpaved roads are relatively easy andinexpensive to build. But unpaved roads require much more frequentmaintenance—particularly after wet periods or when faced with increasedtraffic—and are generally prone to other problems not associated withpaved roads.

For example, many secondary roads of either an earth or gravel varietyutilize native soils, often in conjunction with gravel quarried fromlocal resources, to create the road's sub-base and base layers.Unfortunately, native soils and gravel are not always of suitablequality, resulting in a road base with diminished physical andmechanical properties. When secondary roads are constructed of poor roadbase materials, routine maintenance is not strictly employed, and theroad is exposed to heavy moisture and/or traffic, the erosion of theroad due to damage to the road surface, sub-base, and base materials ishastened.

Defects in road surfaces are typically classified into two categories:surface deterioration and surface deformation. While surfacedeterioration is related mostly to the quality of the surfacingmaterials and the way they respond to weather or traffic stresses,surface deformations often have combined causes that include bothstresses to the road surface itself and other factors such as sub-baseand base capacity and stability.

Surface deterioration is exemplified by “dust,” the result of loss offine binder material from road surfaces. Dust is a substantial problemfor secondary roads, as the loss of these fine materials leads to othertypes of road distress such as loss of cohesion and compaction of theroad fill material, and reduced capacity to maintain the requisitemoisture in the road fill.

Surface deformations include ruts, corrugations, depressions, andpotholes. Ruts are longitudinal depressions in the wheel paths caused byhigh moisture content, inadequate strength in the subsurface soil orbase, inadequate surface course thickness, or heavy traffic loads.Corrugating or “washboarding” is a series of ridges and depressionsacross the road surface caused by lack of surface cohesion. Depressionsare localized low areas one or more inches below the surrounding roadsurfaces that are caused by settlement, excessive moisture content,and/or improper drainage. Potholes are small depressions or voids in theroad surface one or more inches deep which are caused by excessivemoisture content, poor drainage, weak sub-base or base, poorly gradedaggregate, or a combination of these factors.

As such, the problems typically associated with secondary roads bothsurface deterioration and deformation are caused by: 1) the harmfuleffects of water and high moisture content, including settlement anderosion, on the road surface and base, 2) the lack of surface cohesionand resulting loss of road compaction caused by dust, and 3) the heavytraffic loads exerted on roads with weak or inadequate soil, sub-base,or base. Industry has provided for the addition of various chemicaladditives to impart water repellency on road materials, with varyingdegrees of success and environmental impact. However, water repellantchemicals are not binders, and load bearing capacity, stability, andfrost resistance are not improved by their application to the soil orroad base. In many cases, dust can also be reduced on gravel roads byapplying chemical additives commonly known in the art as “dustsuppressors” or “dust retardants”) which draw moisture from the air toimprove fine aggregate cohesion. And “soil stabilizers,” which arechemicals designed to act as binders and coalesce forming bonds betweenthe soil or aggregate particles, have shown promise in greatly improvingthe load bearing and traffic capacity of the road. But existing soilstabilizers and dust retardants are difficult to apply and use in coldclimates, tend to have long cure times, short life-cycles, and do notprovide the requisite protection against water damage; particularlyexcessive moisture content resulting from capillary action.

Repairing damaged roadways by conventional methods can be extremelyexpensive, time consuming, and environmentally disruptive because theentire compacted gravel layer of the road must be replaced. Excavatingthe roadbed of a 1-km portion of road measuring 4 m in width producesabout 2000 cubic meters (m³) of earthy waste; in a conventional road bedrepair project, this would require roughly 220 truckloads of waste to beremoved from the worksite, with 220 truckloads of new gravel beingshipped back the worksite to complete the project. In isolatedlocations, or locations with difficult terrain, the expense of removingand later replacing the gravel is exorbitant as is the impact on localresidents (who must cope with noise and air pollution), normal users ofthe roadway (who experience detours or extended delays during repair),and the landfills that store the removed waste. Conventional binders area liquid asphalt, which turns into a black heat-absorbing road surface.At installation a conventional chip sealed surface must be sweptresulting in the loss of as much as 20% of the chips installed.

As a result, there is a need in the art for an improved method ofbuilding up roads to create strength and longevity, wherein roadbuilders will be able improve the longevity of the roadway, impartincreased load bearing and traffic capacity, and reduce the time, costs,and environmental impact associated with conventional road repairprojects.

II. SUMMARY

The present stabilization technology offers advantages in a wide varietyof road applications from unpaved roads that will remain un-surfaced toroads that will receive running surface treatments. Roadbedstabilization treatments include maximizing potential road strength byblending organic emulsions into native roadbed soils, old graveledroads, or recycled roadway surface materials to create a superiorstructure that maximizes potential road strength and extends the usefullife of the road bed. Midwest's construction system uses in-place soilsin conjunction with Midwest's “green” products to engineer improvedroadways by stabilizing the sub-base and providing a chip seal runningsurface—without relying on any asphaltic products. The present inventivecomponents were formulated to be as gentle on the environment as theyare effective on the roadway—at only a fraction of the cost. Oneadvantage is the process eliminates the need to import costly base oraggregate materials to build a sub-base for subsequent paving or shipsealing. The inventive components produce lighter surfaces that do notabsorb heat, are non-hazardous, non-flammable, non-corrosive, non toxic,use natural products harvested on sustainable basis, will not harmvegetation or wildlife, and will not leach out of the surface so theyare safe to use close to streams and bodies of water.

In one embodiment, a composition for road sealing includes an aqueousemulsion of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer, water, and aresin-modified emulsion, wherein the resin-modified emulsion includes amixture of pitch and rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water, wherein thecomposition is substantially free of asphalt.

In another embodiment, the composition includes soil and a binder.

In another embodiment, the composition includes synthetic fibers.

In another embodiment, the acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer are betweenabout 5.0% and about 60.0% by weight, the water is between about 40.0%and about 94.0% by weight, and the resin emulsion between about 1.0% andabout 55.0% by weight, wherein within the resin emulsion the pitch isbetween about 1.0% and about 95% by weight, the rosin is between about1% to about 70%, the emulsifying agent is between about 0.1% to about5.0% by weight, and the water is between about 10% to about 98% byweight.

In another embodiment, the composition further includes a tack coat.

In another embodiment, the composition further includes limestone chips.

In another embodiment, the tack coat includes resin-modified emulsion ofpitch, rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water, and an aqueous emulsionof acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer.

In another embodiment, the tack coat is an aqueous emulsion.

In another embodiment, the tack coat is an aqueous emulsion and aviscosity enhancer.

In another embodiment, the composition is substantially free ofpolycyclic organic matter.

In another embodiment, a method for road sealing includes mixing anaqueous emulsion and a resin-modified emulsion with associated nativesoil to form a road base, applying to the road base a tack coat ofaqueous emulsion, adding rock chips to the tack coat, and rolling thetack coat, wherein the composition is substantially free of asphalt.

In another embodiment, the step of applying to the road base a tack coatof aqueous emulsion is applying to the road base a tack coat of about25% to about 75% by weight resin-modified emulsion and about 25% toabout 75% by weight of aqueous emulsion.

In another embodiment, the method includes adding a binder to the roadbase and adding synthetic fibers to the road base.

In another embodiment, a composition for road sealing includes about 5%to about 95% polymer emulsion by volume, about 5% to about 95%pitch/rosin emulsion by volume, and a tack coat, wherein the compositionis substantially free of asphalt.

In another embodiment, the composition includes about 25% polymeremulsion by volume, about 75% pitch/rosin emulsion by volume as a base,the tack coat comprising about 25% thickened polymer emulsion by volumeand about 75% pitch/rosin emulsion by volume, wherein no water is addedto the tack coat, and a seal coat comprising about 25% thickened polymeremulsion by volume and about 75% pitch/rosin emulsion by volume, whereinthe seal coat is diluted 2:1 with water.

In other embodiment, the composition further includes a rheologymodifier.

In another embodiment, the rheology modifier is chosen from the groupcomprising naturally occurring gums, polyacrylamide polymers,methylcellulose, silicas, and carbonates.

In another embodiment, the composition further includes a drying aid.

In another embodiment, the drying aid is chosen from the groupcomprising surfactants, linseed oil, walnut oil, corn oil, tong oil,poppy oil, perilla oil, cotton oil, and alcohols.

In another embodiment, the composition further includes a curing agentor accelerator.

In another embodiment, the curing agent or accelerator is chosen fromthe group comprising various binders/hardeners including, but notlimited to, hydraulic curing agent and non-hydraulic curing agent.

In another embodiment, a method for road sealing includes applying atack coat directly on an associated asphalt road, wherein the tack coatis chosen from the group consisting of aqueous emulsion, resin-modifiedemulsion, mixture of aqueous emulsion and resin-modified emulsion,aqueous emulsion and viscosity enhancer, resin-modified emulsion withviscosity enhancer, and mixture of aqueous emulsion and resin-modifiedemulsion with viscosity enhancer.

In another embodiment, the method further includes mixing the curingagent or accelerator into the native soil or road bed material prior tothe application of the aqueous emulsion or resin-modified emulsion.

In another embodiment, the method further includes the addition of thecuring agent or accelerator to the aqueous emulsion or resin-modifiedemulsion prior to application into, or onto, the native soil or roadbed.

In another embodiment, the method further includes mixing an aqueousemulsion and a resin-modified emulsion with associated native soil toform a road base, applying to the road base a tack coat of aqueousemulsion, adding rock chips to the tack coat, wherein the chips are notwashed prior to use, and rolling the tack coat.

Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled inthe art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of thefollowing detailed specification.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, at least one embodiment of which will be described in detail inthis specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whichform in a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a chart of the Samitron stiffness measurements of oneembodiment wherein a chip seal is approximately ½ thick and the Samitrondepth of measurement is approximately 9″;

FIG. 2 shows a comparative chart of CBR testing;

FIG. 3 shows a comparative chart of resilient modulus; and,

FIG. 4 shows a chart showing the increase in pressure withstood by thecomposition.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIGS. 2 and 3 the Resilient Modulus was calculated based on the CBRvalues according to the Relationship: Mr (psi)=1500 CBR. Formulation Ais (a) 67% by weight percent based upon the total weight of the emulsiona mixture comprising pitch, rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water; (b)33% acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and water; and (c) chip sealedwith acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and water. Formulation B is (a)67% by weight percent based upon the total weight of the emulsion amixture comprising pitch, rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water; (b)33% acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and water; and (c) chip sealedwith thickened acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and water.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of thecomposition for road base materials can include a composition that is anaqueous emulsion comprising about 5.0% to about 60.0% by weight(including, but not limited to, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51,52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60) of acrylic and vinyl acetatepolymer, and 40.0% to about 95.0% by weight (including, but not limitedto, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56,57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74,75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92,93, 94, and 95) of water. In this embodiment, this aqueous emulsion iscombined with a resin-modified emulsion (described in U.S. Pat. No.4,822,425, which is incorporated herein by reference) which comprisesfrom (a) about 1 to about 90 weight percent based upon the total weightof said emulsion of a mixture comprising pitch from about 5 to about 95weight percent (including, but not limited to, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65,66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83,84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95) based on the totalweight of the mixture and rosin from 1 to 70 weight percent (including,but not limited to, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51,52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69,and 70) based on the total weight of the mixture: (b) from about 0.1 to5.0 weight percent (including, but not limited to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4,0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8,1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2,3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6,4.7, 4.8, 4.9, and 5.0) based upon the total weight of said emulsion ofan emulsifying agent and (c) from about 9.9 to 98 weight percent(including, but not limited to, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55,56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73,74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91,92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, and 98) based upon the total weight of theemulsion of water.

When the term “water insoluble” is used herein, it is meant that themixture of pitch and rosin when dispersed onto the aggregate materialafter the water has evaporated will not be washed away by rainwater andthe like thereby weakening the final product. As mentioned, the oil basedust control products do not adhere or bind themselves to the aggregatebut are water soluble and do wash away with the rain. When the term“non-flammable” is used herein it is meant that the mixture or theemulsion will not catch fire instantly when exposed to a spark or flameand will not burn rapidly or continuously. When the term “non-corrosive”is used herein it is meant that the mixture of emulsion has a neutralpH. Consequently, it will not rust or corrode metals. Many of the dustcontrol agents of the prior art are chloride based, such as, magnesiumchloride and calcium chloride which are corrosive. When the term“emulsion” or “pine tar emulsion” is used herein it is meant that themixture of pitch and rosin has been emulsified in water using anemulsifying agent. The water being the continuous phase and the mixtureof pitch and rosin being the dispersed phase. Standard emulsifyingtechnology is used to produce the emulsion of the instant invention. Anystandard emulsifying unit can be used that will produce a maximumparticle size in the pitch and rosin phase of from about 5 to 10 microns(including, but not limited to, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10). When the term“stabilizing” is used herein in the context of stabilizing aggregate, itis meant that when aggregate is applied to roadways and the like, theaggregate is held into place forming a solid paving material such thateven through the paving material is subjected to heavy traffic such asautomobiles and heavy trucks, freezing and thawing, wind and rain,erosion, etc., the material will remain unchanged. When the term“aggregate” is used herein, it is meant to refer to materials, such as,granular rock particles, shale or similar materials with similarhardness and inertness either natural or manufactured, and either insitu or imported. When the term “pitch” is used herein, it is meant torefer to pine tar pitch which is the residue obtained from a“distillation column” in the paper producing process. When the word“rosin” is used herein, it is meant to mean the rosin as defined in theCondensed Chemical Dictionary, 9th Edition, published by Van NostrandReinhold Co., 1977, page 756.

When the term “pliable” is used herein it is meant that the stabilizedaggregate will not break up under the maximum allowable highway axleweights of vehicles traveling on these roadways paved with thestabilized aggregate. When the term “water impermeable” is used hereinit is meant that the stabilized aggregate is waterproof and willactually shed water. When the term “weight supporting” is used herein itis meant that the stabilized aggregate is bound together sufficiently towithstand stress and pressures associated with heavy vehicles travelingon roadways. When the term “repairable” is used herein, it is meant thatthe stabilized aggregate is easily repaired, as compared to asphaltwhere certain asphalt patching material tends to be easily removed from“pot holes.” When the term “stable” is used herein to describe theinstant emulsion, it is meant to mean that the continuous water phase ofthe emulsion will not separate from the pitch/rosin phase of theemulsion for at least 1 month. When the terms “stable” or “stabilized”are used herein to describe the instant stabilized aggregate material itis meant that the pitch/rosin coating on the aggregate will notre-emulsify or “plate out” after compaction of the aggregate and afterthe water has evaporated. This stabilized aggregate material will remainstable even when exposed to large amounts of water such as heavy rains.If this material was not stable, the pitch/rosin would re-emulsifyresulting in the material becoming soft and non-weight supporting. Whenthe term “solid material” is used herein, it is meant to describe thestabilized aggregate after it has formed a “block” of material or hasformed a roadway surface, etc. When the term “freeze resistant” is usedherein, it is meant that the stabilized aggregate may be subjected tofreezing and thawing temperatures without affecting the strength orweight supporting capability of the stabilized aggregate. When the term“dilutable” is used herein, it is meant that the concentrated emulsionis capable and may be diluted with water, e.g., 1 to 30 parts water to 1part emulsions, to form a product which is easily mixed with aggregateto provide a “pothole” or crack patching material or it may be sprayedto seal asphalt, concrete or other paved surfaces, etc. When the term“emulsifying agent” is used herein, it is meant to mean that it willfacilitate the formation of an emulsion. An emulsion as defined hereinor as used herein, is defined in the Condensed Chemical Dictionary 9thEdition, page 340. Any suitable emulsifying agent may be used.Emulsifiers may be anionic, cationic or nonionic. A large number of suchemulsifying agents are well known in the emulsion art. Anionicemulsifiers include soaps, such as, the alkali metal soaps of fattyacids, rosin acids, tolyl acids, alkaryl sulfonic acids, and the like.Cationic emulsifying agents include aliphatic amines, aromatic amineswith fatty acid chains, fatty amides quaternary ammonium salts,polyethylene diamines and their quaternary ammonium derivatives, alkylimidazolines and the like. Nonionic emulsifying agents includepolyoxyethylene derivative of alcohols, acids, ethers, phenols, amides,or amines.

When the term “binder/hardner” is used herein, it is meant a substancethat sets and hardens and can bind materials together and acceleratesthe curing process. When the term “hydraulic curing agent” is usedherein, it is meant a substance that cures due to hydration or achemical reaction independent of water content. When the term“non-hydraulic curing agent” is used herein, it is meant a substancethat must be kept dry during the curing process.

In several embodiments of the present invention, methods for improvingsoil or road base materials are provided. As used in this patentapplication, the term “soil” is broadly used to describe the top layerof the earth's surface, consisting of rock and mineral particles mixedwith organic matter (also known as, by non-limiting reference, earth ordirt); whether originally located at the road construction site (“nativesoil” or “in situ soil”) or transported to the road construction site.As used in this patent application, the phrase “road base materials” isbroadly used to describe any substance from which a road surface, base,or sub-base could be constructed; including, but certainly not limitedto by this non-limiting reference, rock, broken rock, gravel (whetherpebble, granule, or other size or mixture), sand, cobble, slag, or otherconstruction aggregate or fill material. The manner of compositionapplication can include any method chosen with sound engineeringjudgment; but in most instances, application of the chemical agent tothe soil is accomplished by the use of conventional spray equipment(spray trucks). The agent is gravity fed or pumped through hoses, spraynozzles, or fixed sprayers and evenly applied to the soil or material tobe treated.

In one embodiment, a road base is built of the aqueous emulsion andresin-modified emulsion mixed with the native soil. In one embodimentthe road base is about four inches deep. In another embodiment, a binder(i.e. Portland cement) can be added to the road base. In anotherembodiment, synthetic fibers can be added to the base as well. In oneembodiment, a tack coat of about 25% by weight to about 75% by weight(including, but not limited to, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70,71, 72, 73, 74, and 75) of the resin-modified emulsion and about 25% byweight to about 75% by weight (including, but not limited to, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44,45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62,63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75) of the aqueousemulsion can be added to the road base. After the tack coat is applied,chips of limestone are added to the tack coat, which is then rolled witha pneumatic roller, and then rolled with a steel drum. In thisembodiment, no asphalt is used to build the road, and the product issubstantially free of polycyclic organic matter, including polynucleararomatic hydrocarbons. It is to be understood that the tack coat couldalso be just the aqueous emulsion. It is also to be understood that thetack coat could be a combination of the aqueous emulsion and a viscosityenhancer.

In another embodiment, composition includes about 25% polymer emulsion(either thickened or unthickened) by volume and about 75% pitch/rosinemulsion by volume as a base. The base is diluted to achieve optimummoisture. The chip contains a tack coat which is about 25% thickenedpolymer emulsion by volume and about 75% pitch/rosin emulsion by volume,wherein no water is added to the tack coat, and a seal coat which is thecomposition as the tack coat, except that it is diluted 2:1 with water.The invention can be used as a base alone, a surface alone, both baseand surface, chip over existing asphalt roads, as well as chip overexisting stable native soil roads. In several embodiments, the aggregatecan be chosen from the group comprising in situ soils, reclaimedasphalt, reclaimed concrete, limestone, river rock, granite, decomposedgranite, and any combination of the above aggregates. The aggregate canbe either washed or unwashed.

In one embodiment Marshall Stability testing was performed in accordanceto ASTM D 6927 on several formulations, with the range of results being4,450 lbs to 12,490 lbs. The CBR testing was conducted in accordancewith ASTM D1883-99. The aggregate material was sieved in accordance toASTM D 422. The aggregate was classified through USCS (Unified SoilClassification System) as SP-poorly-graded sand; ≧50% of coarse fractionpasses No. 4 sieve; through AASHTO (American Association of StateHighway and Transportation Officials) as A-1-b material=General ratingas a subgrade is excellent to good. The optimum moisture was determinedto be 7.2% calculated in accordance to ASTM D 1557.

The road base can be made of native soil combined with the aqueousemulsion, the native soil combined with the resin-modified emulsion, orthe native soil combined with the aqueous emulsion and theresin-modified emulsion. In one embodiment of this invention, the chipsdo not need to be washed prior to use.

In another embodiment, the tack coat can be applied directly to anasphalt road as well. In this embodiment, the tack coat, which can bethe aqueous emulsion, the resin-modified emulsion, the aqueousemulsion/resin-modified emulsion, or any of the previous combined with aviscosity enhancer. To this tack coat can be added the chips asdescribed above.

In one embodiment, the treated soil or road base materials are gradedand compacted, using any means chosen with sound engineering judgment,and a top coat of the composition is applied. Motor-graders, asphaltgrinders, mixers, pug mills, compactors, rollers, and other conventionalconstruction equipment may be utilized to blend, set grade, and compactstabilized base, if necessary, as described in herein. Atop coat isdefined broadly as any application of the soil or road base materialschemical improvement composition that is applied after compaction.

In another embodiment, the composition includes a curing agent. Thecuring agent allows the road or road base to be open to traffic or usein a matter of hours rather than days. The curing agent increases theearly strength of the surface without compromising the late or long termstrength. The curing agent allows for rapid attainment of residualmoisture levels and allows installation in conditions of less than idealmoisture. The curing agent is exothermic, allowing for use in less thenideal temperatures normally needed for emulsion drying and curing. Withreference now to FIG. 4, the graph shows increase in pressure withstoodwith the increased percentage of curing agent mixed with the aggregate(“native soil”). Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were used.The curing agent used in the testing of FIG. 4 was a non-Portlandhydraulic binder, and in this particular example was Ciment Fondu®,available from Kerneos SA. Seine, France. Ciment Fondu® has a chemicalcomposition of 37.5% to 41.0% by weight Al₂O₃, 35.5% to 39.0% by weightCaO, 3.5% to 5.5% SiO_(2, 13.0)% to 17.5% Fe₂O₃, less than 1.5% MgO, andless than 4.0% TiO₂. In another embodiment, the curing agent comprisesgreater than 37.0% Al₂O₃, less than 41.0% CaO, less than 6.0% SiO₂, lessthan 18.5% Fe₂O₃, less than 1.5% MgO, and less than 4.0% TiO2. Inanother embodiment, the curing agent can be aluminum silicate. When thecuring agent is added to the soil, the curing agent is approximately0.1% to approximately 20.0% by weight of the soil (including, but notlimited to 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2,1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6,2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0,4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4,5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8,6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2,8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5,9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7,10.8, 10.9, 11.0, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8, 11.9,12.0, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.9, 13.0, 13.1,13.2, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5, 13.6, 13.7, 13.8, 13.9, 14.0, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3,14.4, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9, 15.0, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5,15.6, 15.7, 15.8, 15.9, 16.0, 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, 16.6, 16.7,16.8, 16.9, 17.0, 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, 17.5, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9,18.0, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6, 18.7, 18.8, 18.9, 19.0, 19.1,19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 19.5, 19.6, 19.7, 19.8, 19.9, and 20.0.) When thecuring agent is added to the emulsion, the curing agent is approximately0.1% to approximately 30.0% by weight (including, but not limited to0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4,1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8,2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2,4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6,5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0,7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4,8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7,9.8, 9.9, 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3.

10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 11.0, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5,11.6, 11.7, 11.8, 11.9, 12.0, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7,12.8, 12.9, 13.0, 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5, 13.6, 13.7, 13.8, 13.9,14.0, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9, 15.0, 15.1,15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5, 15.6, 15.7, 15.8, 15.9, 16.0, 16.1, 16.2, 16.3,16.4, 16.5, 16.6, 16.7, 16.8, 16.9, 17.0, 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, 17.5,17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9, 18.0, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6, 18.7,18.8, 18.9, 19.0, 19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 19.5, 19.6, 19.7, 19.8, 19.9.20.0, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4, 20.5, 20.6, 20.7, 20.8, 20.9, 21.0, 21.1,21.2, 21.3, 21.4, 21.5, 21.6, 21.7, 21.8, 21.9, 22.0, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3,22.4, 22.5, 22.6, 22.7, 22.8, 22.9, 23.0, 23.1, 23.2, 23.3, 23.4, 23.5,23.6, 23.7, 23.8, 23.9, 24.0, 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24.4, 24.5, 24.6, 24.7,24.8, 24.9, 25.0, 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, 25.4, 25.5, 25.6, 25.7, 25.8, 25.9,26.0, 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4, 26.5, 26.6, 26.7, 26.8, 26.9, 27.0, 27.1,27.2, 27.3, 27.4, 27.5, 27.6, 27.7, 27.8, 27.9, 28.0, 28.1, 28.2, 28.3,28.4, 28.5, 28.6, 28.7, 28.8, 28.9, 29.0, 29.1, 29.2, 29.3, 29.4, 29.5,29.6, 29.7, 29.8, 29.9, and 30.0).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of thecomposition for road base materials can include a composition that is anaqueous emulsion comprising about 5.0% to about 60.0% by weight(including, but not limited to, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51,52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60) of acrylic and vinyl acetatepolymer, about 0.1% to about 30.0% by weight (including, but not limitedto 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4,1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8,2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2,4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6,5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0,7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4,8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7,9.8, 9.9, 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9,11.0, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8, 11.9, 12.0, 12.1,12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.9, 13.0, 13.1, 13.2, 13.3,13.4, 13.5, 13.6, 13.7, 13.8, 13.9, 14.0, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5,14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9, 15.0, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5, 15.6, 15.7,15.8, 15.9, 16.0, 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, 16.6, 16.7, 16.8, 16.9,17.0, 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, 17.5, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9, 18.0, 18.1,18.2, 18.3, 184, 18.5, 18.6, 18.7, 18.8, 18.9, 19.0, 19.1, 19.2, 19.3,19.4, 19.5, 19.6, 19.7, 19.8, 19.9, 20.0, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4, 20.5,20.6, 20.7, 20.8, 20.9, 21.0, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4, 21.5, 21.6, 21.7,21.8, 21.9, 22.0, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5, 22.6, 22.7, 22.8, 22.9,23.0, 23.1, 23.2, 23.3, 23.4, 23.5, 23.6, 23.7, 23.8, 23.9, 24.0, 24.1,24.2, 24.3, 24.4, 24.5, 24.6, 24.7, 24.8, 24.9, 25.0, 25.1, 25.2, 25.3,25.4, 25.5, 25.6, 25.7, 25.8, 25.9, 26.0, 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4, 26.5,26.6, 26.7, 26.8, 26.9, 27.0, 27.1, 27.2, 27.3, 27.4, 27.5, 27.6, 27.7,27.8, 0.9, 28.0, 28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4, 28.5, 28.6, 28.7, 28.8, 28.9,29.0, 29.1, 29.2, 29.3, 29.4, 29.5, 29.6, 29.7, 29.8, 29.9, and 30.0) ofcuring agent, and 10.0% to about 94.9% by weight (including, but notlimited to, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42,43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60,61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78,79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, and94.9) of water. In this embodiment, this aqueous emulsion is combinedwith a resin-modified emulsion (described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,425,which is incorporated herein by reference) which comprises from (a)about 1 to about 90 weight percent based upon the total weight of saidemulsion of a mixture comprising pitch from about 5 to about 95 weightpercent (including, but not limited to, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49,50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85,86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95) based on the total weight ofthe mixture and rosin from 1 to 70 weight percent (including, but notlimited to, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35,36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53,54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, and 70)based on the total weight of the mixture; (b) from about 0.1 to 5.0weight percent (including, but not limited to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5,0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3,3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7,4.8, 4.9, and 5.0) based upon the total weight of said emulsion of anemulsifying agent and (c) from about 9.9 to 98 weight percent(including, but not limited to, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55,56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73,74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91,92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, and 98) based upon the total weight of theemulsion of water.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of thecomposition for road base materials can include a composition that is anaqueous emulsion comprising about 5.0% to about 60.0% by weight(including, but not limited to, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51,52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60) of acrylic and vinyl acetatepolymer and 40.0% to about 95% by weight (including, but not limited to,40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57,58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75,76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93,94, and 95) of water. In this embodiment, this aqueous emulsion iscombined with a resin-modified emulsion (described in U.S. Pat. No.4,822,425, which is incorporated herein by reference) which comprisesfrom (a) about 1 to about 90 weight percent based upon the total weightof said emulsion of a mixture comprising pitch from about 5 to about 95weight percent (including, but not limited to, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65,66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83,84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95) based on the totalweight of the mixture and rosin from 1 to 70 weight percent (including,but not limited to, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51,52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69,and 70) based on the total weight of the mixture; (b) from about 0.1 to5.0 weight percent (including, but not limited to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4,0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8,1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2,3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6,4.7, 4.8, 4.9, and 5.0) based upon the total weight of said emulsion ofan emulsifying agent (c) from about 9.8 to 98 weight percent (including,but not limited to, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40,41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58,59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76,77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94,95, 96, 97, and 98) based upon the total weight of the emulsion ofwater, and (d) from about 0.1 to 30.0 weight percent (including, but notlimited to 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2,1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6,2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0,4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4,5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8,6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4,8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7,9.8, 9.9, 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9,11.0, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8, 11.9, 12.0, 12.1,12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.9, 13.0, 13.1, 13.2, 13.3,13.4, 13.5, 13.6, 13.7, 13.8, 13.9, 14.0, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5,14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9, 15.0, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.6, 15.7, 15.8,15.9, 16.0, 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, 16.6, 16.7, 16.8, 16.9, 17.0,17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, 17.5, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9, 18.0, 18.1, 18.2,18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6, 18.7, 18.8, 18.9, 19.0, 19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4,19.5, 19.6, 19.7, 19.8, 19.9, 20.0, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4, 20.5, 20.6,20.7, 20.8, 20.9, 21.0, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4, 21.5, 21.6, 21.7, 21.8,21.9, 22.0, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5, 22.6, 22.7, 22.8, 22.9, 23.0,23.1, 23.2, 23.3, 23.4, 23.5, 23.6, 23.7, 23.8, 23.9, 24.0, 24.1, 24.2,24.3, 24.4, 24.5, 24.6, 24.7, 24.8, 24.9, 25.0, 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, 25.4,25.5, 25.6, 25.7, 25.8, 25.9, 26.0, 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4, 26.5, 26.6,26.7, 26.8, 26.9, 27.0, 27.1, 27.2, 27.3, 27.4, 27.5, 27.6, 27.7, 27.8,27.9, 28.0, 28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4, 28.5, 28.6, 28.7, 28.8, 28.9, 29.0,29.1, 29.2, 29.3, 29.4, 29.5, 29.6, 29.7, 29.8, 29.9, and 30.0) basedupon the total weight of the emulsion of a curing agent.

With reference to FIG. 1, the Samitron stiffness measurements of oneembodiment represent the stabilized soil as the chip seal isapproximately ½ inch thick and the Samitron depth measurement is about 9inches. This performance is comparable to that of the best qualityaggregate bases used for interstate highway construction. This showsthat the present invention will perform at least as well as a moderatevolume road and excellent as a parking lot. FIG. 1 representsapproximately ½ inch of a chip seal over top of native soil mixed withthe present invention.

In a listing of potential embodiments, the following chemicalcombinations are potential embodiments (all percentages are based onweight of the emulsion, the emulsions are between about 20% to about 65%by weight of active ingredient): polymer emulsion at about 100% byweight; pitch/rosin emulsion at about 100% by weight; thickened polymeremulsion at about 100% by weight; polymer emulsion (about 5% to about95%) with pitch/rosin emulsion (about 5% to about 95%); and thickenedpolymer emulsion (about 5% to about 95%) with pitch/rosin emulsion(about 5% to about 95%). In several embodiments rheology modifiers(thickeners) may be used. The rheology modifier can be chosen from thegroup comprising naturally occurring gums (i.e. xanthan gum, guar gum),polyacrylamide polymers, methylcellulose, silicas, and carbonates. Inseveral embodiments, drying aids are used. The drying aid can be chosenfrom the group comprising surfactants (i.e. alpha olefin sulfonates,sodium lauryl sulfonates, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate), linseed oil,walnut oil, corn oil, tong oil, poppy oil, perilla oil, cotton oil, andalcohols (i.e. methanol, isopropyl alcohol).

The embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses mayincorporate changes and modifications without departing from the generalscope of this invention. It is intended to include all suchmodifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope ofthe appended claims or the equivalents thereof. Although the descriptionabove contains much specificity, this should not be construed aslimiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providingillustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of thisinvention. Various other embodiments and ramifications are possiblewithin its scope. Furthermore, notwithstanding that the numerical rangesand parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention areapproximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examplesare reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however,inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from thestandard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:

I/We claim:
 1. A composition for road sealing, the compositioncomprising: an aqueous emulsion of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer;water; and, a resin-modified emulsion, wherein the resin-modifiedemulsion comprises: a mixture of pitch and rosin; an emulsifying agent;and, water, wherein the composition is substantially free of asphalt. 2.The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises:soil; and, a binder.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein thecomposition further comprises: synthetic fibers.
 4. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer are between about5.0% and about 60.0% by weight, the water is between about 40.0% andabout 94.0% by weight, and the resin emulsion between about 1.0% andabout 55.0% by weight, wherein within the resin emulsion the pitch isbetween about 1.0% and about 95% by weight, the rosin is between about1% to about 70%, the emulsifying agent is between about 0.1% to about5.0% by weight, and the water is between about 10% to about 98% byweight.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition furthercomprises: a tack coat.
 6. The composition of claim 5, wherein thecomposition further comprises: limestone chips.
 7. The composition ofclaim 6, wherein the tack coat comprises: resin-modified emulsion ofpitch, rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water; and, an aqueous emulsionof acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer.
 8. The composition of claim 6,wherein the tack coat comprises an aqueous emulsion.
 9. The compositionof claim 6, wherein the tack coat comprises: an aqueous emulsion; and, aviscosity enhancer.
 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein thecomposition is substantially free of polycyclic organic matter.
 11. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises acuring agent.
 12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the curing agentis about 0.1% to about 30.0% by weight.
 13. The composition of claim 12,wherein the curing agent is part of the aqueous emulsion.
 14. Thecomposition of claim 12, wherein the curing agent is part of theresin-modified emulsion.
 15. The composition of claim 13, wherein thecuring agent is chosen from the group comprising hydraulic curing agentsand non-hydraulic curing agents.
 16. The composition of claim 14,wherein the curing agent is chosen from the group comprising hydrauliccuring agents and non-hydraulic curing agents.
 17. The composition ofclaim 15, wherein the curing agent is aluminum silicate.
 18. Thecomposition of claim 16, wherein the curing agent is aluminum silicate.19. The composition of claim 11, wherein the composition furthercomprises: soil; and, a binder.
 20. The composition of claim 11, whereinthe composition further comprises: synthetic fibers.